Bis phosphine oxide flame retarded, rubber-modified, polyphenylene ether resin compositions

Abstract

Flame retardant, rubber-modified polyphenylene ether resin compositions are prepared using a phosphine oxide of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is cycloalkyl, phenyl, carbamoylethyl or carboalkoxyethyl; and Y is alkylene, substituted xylylene, and bis-(methyl)terephthalate.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A flame retardant composition comprising a homogeneous blend of polymers containing about 50 to 80 parts by weight of polyphenylene ether resin, about 50 to 20 parts by weight of a polystyrene, and 6% by weight down to a flame retarding, effective amount of a compound represented by the formula: ##STR13## wherein R is selected from the group consisting of cycloalkyl of 5 to 8 carbon atoms, phenyl, carbamoylethyl and carboalkoxyethyl wherein the alkoxy group contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and wherein Y is selected from the group consisting of alkylene of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, the group, ##STR14## wherein R' is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms and n is an integer from 1 to 4, or the group, ##STR15## with the proviso that when R is carboalkoxyethyl and Y is ##STR16## then n is 4. 
     
     
       2. The composition of claim 1 wherein R is phenyl and Y is --CH 2  CH 2  --. 
     
     
       3. The composition of claim 1 wherein R is carbamoylethyl and Y is --CH 2  CH 2  --. 
     
     
       4. The composition of claim 1 wherein R is cyclohexyl and Y is --CH 2  CH 2  --. 
     
     
       5. The composition of claim 1 wherein R is phenyl and Y is --CH 2  --. 
     
     
       6. The composition of claim 1 wherein R is cyclohexyl and Y is ##STR17## 
     
     
       7. The composition of claim 1 wherein the blend is about 70 parts polyphenylene ether and about 30 parts polystyrene, and the phosphine oxide is incorporated in an amount of at least 4% by weight based upon the blend of polymers. 
     
     
       8. The composition of claim 1 wherein the blend is about 50 parts polyphenylene ether and about 50 parts polstyrene, and the phosphine oxide is incorporated in an amount of 6% by weight based upon the blend of polymers.